Fascinating worlds of salt

If you walk through the mystical tunnels of Hallein Salt Mine, every step you take is accompanied by thousands of years of history. You see, "white gold" was mined here all the way back in the Neolithic Age.

"Glück Auf!" - Welcome to the Salt Mines!Fascinating Salt Worlds

Feel the magic of bygone days and immerse yourself in a magical realm of glistening salt crystals, mystical salt lakes and mysterious mine tunnels, where history comes alive. Welcome to a fascinating subterranean adventure. Welcome to Salt Worlds!

Venerated as a "gift of the gods", traded like gold: This natural resource shaped the history of Austria in general, and the areas surrounding the city of Salzburg in particular. Cities such as Salzburg, Hallein and Hallstatt, as well as regions like the Salzkammergut owe their names, but also their prosperity, to salt. Even all the way back in Celtic times, it began playing an important role in the nature and culture of mankind, while in the Middle Ages it was the most important trading commodity there was. The significance of this historic mineral is also reflected in the fact that Salinen Austria AG boasts the longest uninterrupted corporate history in all of Europe. No wonder, then, that salt also became known as "white gold".

Historic Adventure: in all weather, for all ages

In our salt mines, you will be able to experience the fascination that salt has held for people for thousands of years. Regardless of whether the sun is shining outside, or if it's raining, snowing or stormy: Our salt mines are always an ideal excursion destination, in every season and all weather. If you would like to spend the day with your whole family, special children's tours with Sally, the clever little mine duck, might well be an appealing option for you. School classes, too, are certain to be excited by their new "subterranean classroom". But no matter what you ultimately decide to do: The salt mines will take you back to the world of our ancestors, cast light on the past from different perspectives, and bring history back to life with the help of the latest technology.

Feel the Magic

Even as you pull on the protective clothing, you can feel your anticipation grow at the prospect of your impending adventure deep within the mountain. And by the time you begin your ride into the darkness on the mine train, you will truly sense the awesome magic of this millennia-old mine. Farther into the mountain, it isn't only children's eyes that will light up with excitement at the sight of the long miners' slides. Led by professional guides, you will explore the fascinating world below ground, discover tunnels that stretch out for kilometers, hear stories about the lives of those miners of old, and learn how "white gold" got its name.

The best of three worlds of salt

We are actually home to three different worlds of salt, two of which are the oldest of their kind: The Hallein Salt Mine near Salzburg was the first mine ever to open its tunnels to visitors, the Hallstatt Salt Mine in the Salzkammergut is the oldest salt mine in the world. And inside the Altaussee Mine in Ausseerland, you will experience something truly special: the tunnel which has been cut into the mountain leads through pure rock salt. The salt mine in Altaussee is also the oldest active salt mine in Austria today. You will quickly see: Each of the three mines has its own history and each its own specialty. But they all have one thing in common: They successfully create a playful link between history, culture and adventure, promising an unforgettable experience for big and small alike.

Welcome to the Salt Mines – we look forward to seeing you here!

Experience a fascinating world deep below ground, a world in which the miners wrested "white gold" from the earth, one arduous meter after another. At the salt mines in Hallein, Hallstatt and Altaussee, you will immerse yourself in a world that appears both very alien, and yet so familiar, all at the same time.

Did you realize we also offer an online ticket? It's the easiest, most convenient way to buy your ticket for the salt mines. It will cut out unnecessary waits once you get here and guarantee admission at the exact time you have booked.

Altaussee Salt Mine

The fascination of this world of salt simply can’t be captured in numbers. It’s something you have to experience first-hand. We look forward to seeing you soon at Altaussee Salt Mine!

As you walk through the mystical tunnels of Hallein Salt Mine, you will be accompanied by a history that goes back thousands of years. In fact, the Dürrnberg was already being mined for "white gold" in the Neolithic Age. Here are a few facts and figures about the mine:

Salzwelten Social NewsSocial News

"SALINA" – the Celtic World on the Dürrnberg

There are many books that recount the daily life of Celts. But actually experiencing their daily life yourself, well, that's something different. That's why Salina Celtic Village on the Dürrnberg exists. Located right next to the salt mine in Hallein, it takes you back to the world as it was 2,600 years ago - to the exciting times of the Celts. Join us for this journey through time!

Here, 360 meters above the rooftops of Hallstatt, time briefly seems to stand completely still. When you step out onto this imposing viewing platform, walk the 12 meters out to its tapered point, rest your hands on the railing and gaze out on the untamed natural beauty before you – that’s when you will understand exactly what we mean.

How two intrepid miners managed to save the art treasures from destruction, what was necessary to do so, and why famous artworks later began showing up in the back rooms of local inns: All of this is explained in “Bombing Michelangelo”.